Sand separator



March 25, 1930.

"K., A.ENZETAL SAND SEPARATOR Filed NOV. 24, 1924 f Patented Mu, 25, 1930 "UNITED STA E KARL A. BN2, CLEVELAND,

0310, nn nmmai, MoGOBMAGK, or YORK, rannsnvanm SAND SEYARA'IOB Application filed November 24, 1924; Serial No. 731,914,

This invention relates to devices for efiecting the separation of substances of different specific gravities. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for separating sand from river and other sand carrying water, so as to obtain water substantially free of sand for most practical commercial purposes. One articular use to which the water thus obtained has been put is the flushing out of water turbines to prevent disintegration by the sand of contacting parts.

The-object of the present invention is to provide an improved sand separator in which the sand carrying water introduced therein is 16 subjected to a swirlinglaction to separate therefrom the heavier sand particles, in which device the swirling action is produced by the pressure of the sand carrying water introduced therein, so that the separator is exceedingly economical to operate in which device the pressure of the separated water controls the discharge of the separated sand; and which separator is strong and durable and of simple and inexpensive construction notlikely to get out of order in service.

In the drawing, which represents one suitable embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view of the pres-.

ent improved sand separator; and Figs. 2, 3,

a0 4, and 5 are, respectively, cross-sectional views on the lines 2'2, 33, 1-4, and 55, Fig; 1. v

The separator illustrated in the drawing comprises a sectional metal casing, consisting of a substantially cylindrical intermediate or main body section 1, a dome shaped top or cover section 2, and a similarly shaped bottom section 3. These three sections are provided with suitable, flanges, the flanges of 4 adjacent sections being removably secured together, such as by the bolts 5.

The bottom casing section is provided with suitable supporting legs 6, which in the present embodiment rest upon a suitable foundati0n 7, "This foundation is provided with an opening 8 beneath the centralportion'of the casing to receive the casing 9 for the separatedsand, which casing is bolted or otherwise suitably securedto the bottom casing section 3. 53 Communicating with the foundation opening 8 is a side foundation passage 10 into which the separated sand is discharged from casing 9, as will later appear.

Suitably secured by the'bolts 5 between the adjacent flanges of the intermediate and the cover casing sections is the outwardly extending flange 15 of 2, depending, hollow member a 16 of substantially cone shape, which is centrally disposed within the intermediatecasing section. An annular space or chamber 17 of gradually increased width from top to bottom is provided between said casing section and this cone-shaped member, which chamber merges with the substantially co nical shaped chamber 18. of the bottom casing member and forms, in effect, a single separating chamber.

The intermediate casing. section is provided near its upper end with a tangentially disposed tubular extension 20, preferably formed integral tl1erewith, t'hrough which the sand carrying water'is introduced under pressure into the chambers 17-"-18 just referred to. Due to the tangential disposition of this water inlet 20, the sand carrying water introduced intothe separator isgiven a swirling action in the annular chamber 17,

with the result that the sand particles, being heavier than water, are thrown outwardly against the intermediate casing section,

and finally pass down into the chamber 18 of the bottom casing section. The water closely surrounds the outer surface of the conical-shaped member 16, travels down therealong, enters the bottom opening 21. thereof, asses upwardly through the chamber 22 oi said member and the chamber 23 of the top cover, section, and then passes out through the outlet port 24 in said last named section, the pressure of the incoming sand carryin water efiecting this travel or movement of the water from which the sand has been separated. I

The separated sand in the chamber 18 of the bottom casing section passes through a discharge port 25 in a tubular member 25- easing section 3 and the a joining'sand casing 9 and is delivered at relatively,,.g;great velocity into the annular passagej26lof said of the sand discharged into .said annular I into the sand receiving casing 9 passa e.

chamber, the bottom portion thereof is of .a substantial trough. shape, as at 27 Fig. 1. From this chamber, the sand passes through a central passage 28 extending downwardly and outwardly and discharging into the side foundation passage 10. r

In order to control the passage of the separated sand through the discharge port 25 and to insure the travel of the substantially pure water up through the conical-shaped member 16, a hollow spherical member 35 is arranged within the chamber 18 of the bottom casing section. Said member is provided at its bottom with a conical shaped portion 36 provided with one or more sand discharge passages 37, one bein here shown. This spherical member is ad ustabl mounted upon-the lowerend of a vertica ly disposed spindle 38 extending through the conical-shaped member 16 and the covercasing section 2, being suitably sup-- ported at itsupper end in bearings 39 and 40, respectively secured within and mounted 'upon said cover section. The lower end portion of said spindle is supported or centered by the radially extending internal web members 42 of member 16. Within the chambers 22 and 23 of the conical-shaped member 16 and the cover casing section 2, said spindle is provided with a plurality of radially extending blades or vanes 45, four being here shown. The water, from which the sand has been separated, in travelling through said chambers to the outlet 24 thereof strikesthese vanes and causes the rotation of the spindle and hence the rotation of the conical shaped portion 36 of the s herical member 35, in which conical shape portion is the sand discharge assage 37. I

The discharge of sand through the passage 25 of the tubular member 25 may also be controlled by the conical-shaped valve @8 co-operatin with the lower end of the said aid valve is mounted upon the uprig t stem 49 adjustably mounted in the sand. receiving casing 9, as by the threaded.

connection and lock nut shown wherein the vertical position of the-valve 1s ad usted by loosening the locknut and turning the shaft Yes by its lower projecting end, which is squared tor the purpose.

Whatweclaimis: 1.. A sand separator, compnsmga cas ng havin an inlet openingfor the introduction of a p ysical mixture of sand and water under pressure, means within said casing for co-operating with the flow of said mixture-for effecting separation of said substances, and

means'controlled by the flow of one separated substance for controlling ;the discharge of the other separated substance. v

2'. A sand separator, comprisinga casing having an inlet opening for thelntroducannular trough arran wardly in a conica tion of sand and water together under preshaving an inlet opening for the introduction ofsand and ,water together under pressure, means withln said casin for efiectlng separation of said substances rom each other, separate outlets for the sand and water,

androtary valve means controlled by the flow of the separated Water for regulatin the discharge of the separated sandthroug its outlet.

. 4. A sand separator, comprising a casing having an inlet opening for the introduction of sand and water together under pressure, means within said casing for effecting separation of said substances from each other, separate outlets for the sand and water, a rotary valve for controlling the discharge of, the separated sand throu h its outlet, and a spinner actuated by the 50w ofthe separated water for controlling said valve.

5. In a sand separator, a casing having a tangential water inlet, a water outlet, and a central restricted outlet for separated sand, said so arator being adapted to receive wager un er pressure, separate the sand thererom, high velocity through said restricted outlet, and means for reducing the velocity of the sand discharged from said outlet, said means compr smg low and concentric yvith said outlet, and an ed about said deflec tor to receive the disc arge thereof and direct the same radially inwardly.

6. A sand separator, comprising a casing havin an inlet opening for. the introduction 0 sand and water together under pressure, means within said casin forefiectin-g separation of said substances i rom each other, separate outlets for thesandand water, a rotaryvalve for controllin the discharge of the separated sand throu its outlet, and a spinner actuated by the ow of the separated water for rotatingsaid valve, said rotar .valve having on its periphery a longitu inal groove.

a sand separator, a casing having acyhndrical body ortion terminating downportion, a tubular member of substantially cone shape concentricall siilsiposedwitli said cylindrical portion to die the interior thereof into an annular passage of downwardly increasing sectional area and a central passage of upwardly increasing sect1onal area, .sealin means between the upper extremities o saidcasing om each othand discharge the separated sand at a conical deflector arranged be- 7 cylindrical 'body portion having a tangential Water inlet near its upper end, said conical portion having a central restricted sand outlet aperture and said cover member having 5 a water outlet. 4

In testimony whereof we hereby aflix our signatures.

KARL A. ENZ. DANIEL. J. McCORMACK 

